SOCCER: Albion Hurricanes 97G reaches Elite Club nationals

Published 5:03 pm, Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Albion Hurricanes 97G ECNL team went undefeated in three playoff matches to qualify for the Elite Clubs National League National Championships, July 10-15 in Richmond, Va.

The Albion Hurricanes 97G ECNL team went undefeated in three playoff matches to qualify for the Elite Clubs National League National Championships, July 10-15 in Richmond, Va.

SOCCER: Albion Hurricanes 97G reaches Elite Club nationals

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As the Albion Hurricanes 96G squad was preparing for its national tournament, one of its fellow club teams kicked off its own competition against the country’s finest.

After a year-long regular season and three playoff matches, the AHFC 97G ECNL team qualified for the Elite Clubs National League National Championships, July 10-15 in Richmond, Va. Only 32 teams qualified for the U16 Champions League playoffs, of which eight advanced to nationals.

“This is an amazing accomplishment by the 97G ECNL girls,” AHFC Girls Director Russell Gee said. “They have played at a very high level of consistency all year. Their performances have been outstanding, and they have received many compliments from opposing teams and college coaches in the way they have played. I am very proud of all of the players; they have represented AHFC with class both on and off the field all year. Congratulations to the 97G ECNL girls, it’s richly deserved.”

AHFC 97G ECNL won its division at the National Playoffs in Aurora, Colo., last month on the strength of excellent defense and four goals C.J. Odobulu. The Hurricanes finished 2-0-1 for seven points, allowing a group-best two goals.

Odobulu scored twice on assists from Junique Rodriguez and Christiana Sullivan for a 2-1 opening win against FC Stars of Massachusetts. Emilee Mayes and Odobulu scored with Sullivan assisting in a 2-0 shutout of Mustang SC, clinching the Group F championship.

The Hurricanes finished with a 1-1 tie against McLean youth Soccer, as Michaela Abam assisted Odobulu’s goal. They were the only Houston team in the 16U National Playoffs and one of two Texas Conference teams to qualify for the national tournament (Dallas Sting).

AHFC’s 96G ECNL team also reached the National Playoffs, finishing the season 14-8-8 overall.

The U16 squad takes a 15-3-11 record into the ECNL National Championships. The team was unbeaten in its first 11 matches, beginning in September, and finished 9-3-6 in the Texas Conference to rank third behind the Dallas Texans (14-0-4) and Dallas Sting (14-1-3).

Sullivan led the Hurricanes with 21 goals and six assists during the regular season. Katy Byrne (eight goals, three assists), Odobulu (four goals, 10 assists) and Rodriguez (two goals, five assists) ranked among the team’s offensive leaders.